[26:Everybody, Stay Calm. Stay Calm!]
(A/N: Good news, everyone! I think I may have finally found a way to put romance into this, but it'll be later in the story with the plan I have for it. The method was revealed to me in a dream. Or something, I don't know.
I can tell you it won't be any of the girls from the main class, and it won't be a typical romance, given what I think is kind of obvious foreshadowing about what our shikikan Eleanor will end up being.
Also, this has reached 200k views! Thanks a lot! Love you all!)
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There she was, all decked out in her hero outfit. All the cameras were laser-focused on her. I'd seen her in the anime, and of course also in pictures, videos, and more in this world, but whoa, she was a lot taller in person. Like holy moly, she's huge! I thought I was kind of tall, but I'm a twig compared to her. She had a big smile on her face as she waved at the cameras and entered. People parted for her.
And then she turned to me. We made eye contact, and it was hard to describe what I felt at the moment. It was a weird feeling being so close to someone like Star and Stripe. All I knew was that I froze a little. But this is fine, I've fought giant robots, villains, my classmates, and fought in front of millions. I can survive eye contact. Seriously, what's going on? I never felt this way when I met All Might, even when he was in front of me, giving me the gold medal for winning the sports festival.
Maybe it's because All Might is weakened and not as strong as he was in his prime, so he doesn't have that kind of grand aura he used to? Because I feel it with Star and Stripe.
Then she finally came up to me. I had to look up at her. I didn't know if I was scared, excited, or a mix of both. She had a big grin on her face.
"Eleanor Hayes, that was one heck of an entrance at the sports festival," she said to me.
Whoa, she sounded excited to say that. I managed to hype her up as well?
"The skydiving with the flares, the parachute, the rock music, the fireworks, the flyover, all that was very bold of you. But it was awesome! I clapped when I saw what you did. It takes guts and confidence to do what you did, and you clearly have a lot of it. I like that." She had a giant smile as she described it.
I think she loved it. Think? No, of course, she did! It's Star and Stripe! She's all about this kind of stuff. Stay calm, stay calm. Stay professional, don't get too excited. This isn't the sports festival, I don't have the same opportunity of being able to be all over-the-top. This is a diplomatic area.
But she loved it! That's so cool! Oh man, am I fangirling?
"Thank you, ma'am. I was just doing my best." I replied to her in a slightly professional tone, but still kept that excitement. It wasn't me fangirling, but I was trying to match her energy. I think that would be a good cover; I can say that her energy radiated off to me, just in case I get asked.
"Don't be so stiff, Eleanor. You're doing a good job for meeting me for the first time."
"I am?"
"Some people faint from excitement when they meet me. It happens more than you think."
The ambassador then took the stage to give a short speech. I welcomed it because at least the flashes from the cameras stopped a little bit.
"We gather today to recognize not only victory in competition, but the spirit of unity and cultural excellence…" As she gave her small speech, Star and Stripe and I stood behind her. Star and Stripe looked calm. Makes sense, she's probably done a million kinds of media appearances. I only hoped I wouldn't look too stiff or robotic. I just need to smile, but not to the point that I grin like an idiot.
"...Now, I'll pass it on to the 'star' of the show. Star and Stripe!" Did the ambassador really make a pun? If she's making a pun, then that makes me relax a lot more. The ambassador stepped back and let Star and Stripe take the podium. Now, it was the ambassador and I standing behind Star and Stripe. I looked to see what the ambassador was like, and she looked to be…excited? She was looking at Star and Stripe like she was on the verge of fangirling as well. Are you telling me Star and Stripe make even diplomatic officials fangirl over her? Just how much of an effect does she have on people?
…
Maybe I'm the one taking this too seriously?
"Being loud is easy. Being bold is harder. Eleanor here was not only loud and bold, but she showed that American spirit while doing it. Look at her entrance. That is probably the most American thing I've seen in a while…" There was some laughter and a few cheers when she said that. "...But beneath all the fireworks, and the show, there was skill and confidence. Some will say it's arrogance, but is it really arrogance if she has the skill and confidence to back it up? You may have heard these words before, but I'll say it again. Confidence isn't arrogance when you've got the skill to back it up. Eleanor is a young hero, and she's just getting started. And after this performance, I have a feeling that many of America's eyes will be on her. So, no pressure." I could hear a few more chuckles when she finished.
No pressure? I wish.
She then grabbed a box and opened it. Whoa, there it is. I knew this was happening, but seeing the medal with my own eyes was kind of overwhelming. Yeah, I know this medal usually has a political purpose behind it and is at the discretion of the president, but even knowing that, this isn't something that just gets handed out.
"This award recognizes individuals who shape culture, inspire unity, and embody the best of who we are. And sometimes…" She turned to face me. "...they're in high school."
She came closer to me and got behind me. "Eleanor, it is with joy that I am the one who is able to present this award to you. On behalf of the president and of the United States of America, I present to you the Presidential Medal of Freedom." The entire room went quiet, not even the cameras were flashing. This is happening, it's actually happening. I'm being decorated. I felt her hands rub against my hair, and I felt the ribbon over my suit as she finally placed it on me. It felt a lot heavier than it looked, or maybe the moment is getting to me.
Star and Stripe then reached out to shake my hand. I shook her hand, but I felt I might have used too much force. These dang nerves are getting to me. I thought I was more composed than this. I was scared for a moment, but I saw that she still had a smile on her face. Yeah, I don't know why I thought a handshake would affect her.
And then the cameras started flashing again.
"I look forward to what you do in the future, Eleanor." She said to me.
We posed for a few pictures before we finally had the little celebratory feast. At least there was a little bit of privacy here.
"Oh, Eleanor, just one more thing."
"What is it, Star and Stripe?"
She reached into one of her pockets and pulled out a card of sorts. "Just a small gift. America's new icon needs a proper welcome gift." She handed it to me, and when I got a better look, my eyes widened like saucers.
It was her hero card. 'Oh my gods, this card is numbered out of ten. This is an extra limited edition. Look at the glossiness of it, that subtle holographic print. No way, it has her standing on top of a stealth bomber with fighter jets in formation behind her. It has a tasteful thickness to it. And it's autographed and graded! It's graded at the max, and it has her signature in gold ink across the card that's not part of the original! This looks like something collectors would kill for!' Internally, I was freaking out, but I had to maintain composure.
"Thank you. I don't know what to say."
"Don't worry about it. Just enjoy this special day. This doesn't happen often."
Yeah, she's right. It doesn't. Oh boy, I wonder how the class will react when this news gets out. You know what? Forget about them, I'll leave it to my future self to worry about.